Who knew so soon after Snowmageddon that we would once again find ourselves isolated in our homes? However, this time for a far different reason.
During January’s storm shutdown, #stormbooks was trending right alongside #stormchips on Twitter. People were heading to the library before the approach of the storm to check out books from their local library, or they were downloading books from the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Library’s Digital Library collection.
Now, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Digital Library has become the go-to for books, magazines and newspapers for library patrons.
Many (new) patrons discovered the Digital Library during Snowmageddon and many more are just now discovering this gem of the library.
The Digital Library offers books, audio books, magazines, and newspapers which can be viewed on a computer or electronic device. The digital collection includes OverDrive, TumbleBooks, PressReader, and Flipster. And now through August, temporary access is provided for the following digital resources: TumbleMath, Audio Book Cloud, Teen Book Cloud, and Romance Book Cloud.
Apps for some of these resources are available for download on Google Play and the App Store.
OverDrive is a collection of eBooks and audio books for adults and kids and can be used in conjunction with the popular, user-friendly Libby App.
OverDrive includes special collections such as: cookbooks, classic westerns, audio books with great narrators, local reads, and more. Titles are either Available or you can Place a Hold and will be notified once the title is available.
If you would rather not wait, then check out the Catch of the Day collection which features popular new titles with seven-day loans and no waiting. Once you’ve found the perfect read, borrowing options include seven or 14 days. After the borrowed time period, the book is removed from your personal library ‘shelf’, thereby, easing the worry about overdue books.
TumbleBooks is designed for kids through age 12. It features over 1,100 titles which includes animated, talking picture books, read-along chapter books, graphic novels, non-fiction books, games, puzzles, and videos. It also features a selection of books in French and Spanish.
TumbleBooks has a supportive reading feature which highlights sentences as it is read aloud to your child. It’s the perfect add-on resource for at home learning.
Flipster is a collection of over 40 popular magazines and features titles such as Maclean’s, People, Organic Gardening, Men’s Health, National Geographic, Seventeen, and Chickadee (for young kids). Current and past issues can be read on your computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Most magazines, once checked out, are held on your “shelf” for at least one week.
When traveling can resume, Flipster is a convenient way to take all your favourite magazines with you.
PressReader offers over 6,000 magazines and newspapers from around the world in multiple languages. Publications from Albania to Zimbabwe, and countries in between, are included.
Magazines covering niche topics such as chickens, cross stitching, birdwatching, and gaming can be found along with titles such as Canada’s History, Inuit Art, Car and Driver, and O, the Oprah Magazine. Worldwide, national and provincial newspapers can also be found on PressReader, including Le Gabouteur, the French language newspaper of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Like Flipster, archived issues can be accessed. Features include the ability to share or print articles and have text read aloud.
Even though public libraries across the province are closed, the Digital Library is always open. Once logged in, you’ll find no shortage of reading entertainment and learning. To access the Digital Library, visit digitallibrary.nlpl.ca.
Once there you will also find information on CELA (Centre for Equitable Library Access), a collection that provides digital and physical alternate format materials for those with print disabilities. Need a library card? Visit getthecard.nlpl.ca. New card registrations are still being processed during the shutdown. For all the latest library updates, follow @NLPubLibraries on Twitter.
Natasha Wells is the Regional Librarian for the Western Division of Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries.